India’s young artists once again demonstrated the power of creativity as the latest edition of the Youva Masterstroke drawing competition concluded successfully. Organised by the student stationery brand Youva from the house of Navneet Education Limited, the nationwide initiative has now completed its 22nd edition. Over the years, the competition has grown into one of India’s most recognised school-level art platforms, encouraging children to explore imagination and express their ideas through drawing.
Held between August and December 2025, the competition invited participation from students ranging from kindergarten to Class 10. This year’s edition witnessed a remarkable response, with more than 20 lakh students from over 6,600 schools across the country taking part. The scale of participation reflects the growing enthusiasm for creative expression among schoolchildren and highlights the importance of art as a medium for communication and storytelling.
What began more than two decades ago as a simple initiative to encourage drawing among students has gradually evolved into a nationwide movement celebrating artistic talent. Through Youva Masterstroke, students are given an opportunity to express their thoughts, emotions, and imagination through colours and sketches. The competition not only rewards artistic ability but also encourages children to think creatively and present their ideas in a visual form.
To ensure fair participation across age groups, the competition was divided into three categories. Group A included students from kindergarten to Class 3, Group B consisted of students from Class 4 to Class 6, and Group C covered participants from Class 7 to Class 10. This structure allowed children to compete with peers of similar age and skill levels while showcasing their unique perspectives through art.
The winners of Youva Masterstroke 2025 have been officially announced on the competition’s website. The entries were reviewed at the district level under the mentorship of renowned artist Bharat Parte, who is associated with the J. J. School of Art. With decades of experience in the field, Parte helped ensure that the judging process celebrated originality, imagination, and artistic quality.
District-level rounds were organised for students in Maharashtra and Goa, where top entries from each participating school were carefully evaluated. From these submissions, one winner per group was selected for every district. The winners represent some of the most talented young artists from their respective regions.
To celebrate these achievements, Youva has been working closely with school authorities and local teams to ensure that prizes and official recognitions reach the students. So far, more than 40,000 winners have received gift hampers, acknowledging their creativity and encouraging them to continue exploring their artistic potential.
Speaking about the initiative, Abhijit Sanyal, Chief Strategy Officer at Youva, said that Masterstroke is about celebrating the pride of creation. He noted that participation from more than 6,600 schools has brought tremendous energy to the programme and that the competition is not just about drawings but about encouraging the next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and artists.
With its growing reach and enthusiastic participation, Youva Masterstroke continues to inspire young minds across India. The initiative stands as a reminder that creativity has no boundaries and that young artists, when given the right platform, can transform simple ideas into powerful expressions of imagination.
